britain rejoins the euro
British swimming fans are in for an unusual and overdue treat when the European Long Course Championships get underway in Budapest on Monday. Not since 1999 has Britain sent a full strength and rested team to the continental meet, but the home swimmers are this year raring to go and stand a good chance of bringing home a sizeable medal haul.
Matt Clay - European No. 2 over 50m backstroke
Photo: © Steve Buckey/pullbuoy
In the interim seven years, the Europeans have shifted fromtheir traditional odd-year timing which fitted them in between the Olympics and Commonwealths to be now in the same years as a consequence of biennial world championshsips. This meant that in 2000 and 2004, the championships were largely devalued by competitors focusing more on their Olympic aspirations and Britain sent only a skeleton squad to each. Meanwhile in 2002, the organising bodies conspired to have the European Championships overlap with the Manchester Commonwealth Games, again forcing Britain to pass. That Berlin meet remains one of the fastest on record, with World Records from Franziska Van Almsick and also her 800m freestyle relay colleagues the highlight, while European standards tumbled like ninepins.
Istanbul in 1999 was a high point for Britain however, with the likes of Sue Rolph and Paul Palmer collecting European titles and the British team a total haul of 10 medals. Elsewhere it announced the arrival on the international stage of a relatively little known Dutchman by the name of Pieter van den Hoogenband, who won a record 5 gold medals and was denied a 6th only by a disqualification in the 4x200m freestyle relay. This year marks the return to competition of the 100m freestyle world record holder after a hernia operation and many will be anxious to see what he can achieve.
But Britain is well placed to emulate the class of '99. Although the current European rankings are skewed by British swimmers having competed in Melbourne whilst other European nations have only been completed their domestic trials, there is considerable cause for optimism to be found therein.
Terri Dunning: ranked second over 100m fly
Photo: © Steve Buckley/pullbuoy
On the men’s side, the absence of David Davies is a big blow, but Simon Burnett, Ross Davenport and Liam Tancock all sit atop their respective rankings, with a further nine rankings in the top 3. Burnett’s showdown with reigning world champions Fillipo Magnini and of course Hoogie, over the 100m freestyle is due to be a highlight, with the Arizona based Brit likely to have to lower his own British record to prevail. He’ll also be a strong contender in the 200m event, where Davenport currently heads the way, but again the shadow of vDH looms large with the wily Italians Brembilla and Rosolino also lurking. Tancock faces a tougher challenge in that he has been recovering from a recently broken wrist, while fellow Commonwealth Champions Gregor Tait and David Carry and the also-recuperating Chris Cook will fancy their own chances of picking up medals.
For the women, the story is just as encouraging with 11 girls ranked in the medal positions heading into the meet. Of course the biggest hope lies with dual Commonwealth Champion Caitlin McClatchey in the 200m freestyle, where she heads the rankings, but formidable opposition takes the shape of Laure Manadou of France, the new 400m world record holder. Elsewhere the breaststroke duo of Kate Haywood and Kirsty Balfour lead all three events, with Balfour’s stunning 200m performance in Melbourne putting her over three seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Elsewhere stalwarts Rebecca Cooke and Melanie Marshall will again be podium contenders.
Encouragingly Rebecca Adlington and James Goddard, two swimmers not to compete in Melbourne, are ranked in medal positions for the 800m freestyle and 200m backstroke respectively. Coming off a similar trials competition background as the majority of other European swimmers, this bodes well for their performances in Budapest. Meanwhile, Katy Sexton and Darren Mew, as the only survivors from the 1999 team, will be likely finalists, but would be long shots for medal places.